Message-interpreting device



V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK I-I. BLACK, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA: i

MESSAGE-INTERPRETING- DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern.-

: Be it known that I, FREDERICK H. BLACK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Message-Interpreting Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of an improvement in message interpreting devices, and has for its object to provide an operative mechanism of the class of thewell known ouija board, or similar devices, for the purpose of carrying out the objects of such apparatus.

It comprises a generally rectangular frame composed of a lower base portion and an upper dial supporting or bridge portlon, with an intervening slidable portion, an indicating needle or pointer adapted to cooperate with a particularly arranged dlal on the bridge portion, and gearing between the slidable portion and the needle stem, whereby it may be variously moved and located, dependent upon motion transmltted to the slidable portion.

' Referring to the drawings, showing one preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure l is a face view of the device 111 its normal or middle position; and I Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view.therethrough on the lineII-II of Fig. 1.

In the drawings, A is the base, generally rectangular inform, of wood or other sultable material,having upwardly extending sides along each opposite edge, upon which are fixedly supported and connected the upper dial supporting or bridge member a. Between the base and the bridge portlon is the slidably mounted movable board member 2, retained between the side edge'portions, and having upwardly extendlng terminal end portions 33, the upper faces of which are on the same general level as that of the bridge member a.

These terminal end portions 3 in the normal position of the board, as in Fig. 1, are spaced away beyond the end terminals of the bridge a sufliciently to admit of a range of movement of the board inwardly at either end, corresponding to the transmit ted sweep of the pointer 8 around its center toward the right or the left, depending upon the movement imparted to the board 2.

The raised end portions 3 of the board 2 are provided at each end with two sets of finger sockets 4 adapted to be engaged by Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 5, 1920.

Patented Sept. '7, 1920.

Serial No. 363,495.

the four fingers of each hand of the operator, right and left respectively, and in convenient position for operation when a person is seated at each end of the board, as will be readily understood.

At its central portion, board'2 is recessed for clearance of the needle actuating pinion andstem, and is provided at one side of said recess with a rack 5 secured to the edge of the board, which rack is in meshed engagement with the teeth of a pinion 6 secured to stem 7 of the indicating pointer 8, as shown. Stem 7 is rotatably mounted in the base A and bridge a, and the teeth of the rack and pinion are preferably made with sufficient accuracy to avoid any lost motion, so that-the slightest movement imparted to the sliding board 2 in one direction or the other will impart a correspondingly accurate or delicate movement .to the pointer 8.

A dial plate 9 is laid across the face of the bridge member a and secured thereto, and is provided with annular series of various and appropriate inscriptions, markings, or signs, as shown. These are arranged in semi-circa lar formation, concentric with the pivoting center of the pointer 8 or its stem 7, and comprise an outer annular series of letters of the alphabet and numerals, preferably intermixed, as shown, and of any desired arrangement as to progression. Inwardly of such annular row of letters and figures is a similar row comprising the twelve months of the year consecutively arranged, and inwardly of such monthly circle, is an arbitrary division of monthly periods of any suitable selection. Supplementing such subdivisions of time, are the twelve signs of the zodiac, together with additional illustrative matter, as for instance, the twelve names of precious stones, as shown in the dial. Various other inscriptive matter within the range of the pointer 8 may'also be utilized, together with connectinglines between the various periodical locations indicated on the dial, whereby to provide, within the amplitude of vibration or movement of the pointer, a very considerable range of subject matter, having more or less connection with or relation to the subject under consideration, to which the board and its manipulation in use may refer.

Additional features of utility and significant interest, in connection with the board and its application in use, are connecting wires or conductors 10 of copper or other material, extending across irom one manipulating end 3 of the board 2 to the other, and provided with terminal buttons 11 extending upwardly from the bottoms of particularly selected finger sockets 4, together with appropriate signs, as plus and minus, res ectively.

, *or the purpose of facilitating movement of board 2 upon base A, I provide roller bearings,asballs 12, adapted to run in suitable. longitudinal depressions in the upper face of base A and the lower faceof slid ing board 2, by which the ease and accuracy ofmovement, supplemented by the delicacy of touch of the operators, provides for a corresponding very delicate adjustment of the pointer -8.

" The construction and operation of the device will bereadilyund'erstood and appreciated by all those familiar with this class of mecl'ianisin. It is adapted to be used in interpreting messages or in transmitting thought, either for instruction or entertainment, and in its entirety, it comprises a very interesting and easily manipulable instrument of the talking board type.

The invention may be changed or varied in different respects, or various other detail construction, by the skilled mechanic, but all such changes are to be considered as within the scope of the following claims.

hat I claim is:

1. A message interpreting device consisting of a base having a bridge portion and intervening slidable board member, a dial on the face of the bridge portion, a pointer having a stem pivoted in the base and bridge portion, and actuating gearing therefor between the slidable board member and the pointer stern.

. 2; A message interpreting device consisting "of abase having a, bridge portion and an intervening slidable board member having terminal shouldered manipulating portions, a dial on the face or the bridge portion', a pointer having a stem pivot-ed in the base and bridge portion, and actuating gear ing therefor between the slidable board member {and the pointer stem.

3. A message interpreting device consisting of a base having a bridge portion and an intervening slidable board member having terminal shouldered manipulating portions spaced beyond the ends of the bridge portion and flush with the'uppe'r face thereof, 'a dial 'on the race of the bridge portion,

a pointer having a stem pivoted in the base and bridgeportion, and-actuating gearing therefor between the slidable board member and the pointer stem.

4. A message interpreting device consisting of a base having a bridge portion and an intervening slidable board member, a dial on the face of the bridge portion, a pointer having a stem pivoted in the base and bridge portion and provided with a pinion, and an actuatingrack on the slidable board member engaging said pinion.

5. In combination, supporting base having upwardly extending sides, a bridge pertion extending across the'base and secured to said sides with a clearance sp'aee between it and the base, a slidable board between the base anfdbridgehaving upwardly extending limiting and manipulating ends provided with finger sockets, a dial on the upper face of the bridge having appropriate inscriptions, a pointer therefor having a pivoting stem and pinion, and a rack on the slidable board engaging the pinion.

'6; In combination, a supporting base having upwardly extending sides, a bridge portion extending across the base and secured to said sides with a clearance space between itand the base, a slidable board between the base and bridge having upwardly extending limiting and manipulating ends provided with finger sockets, rolling bearings between the base and the slidable board, a dial on the upper face of the bridge havingv'appropriate inscriptions, a pointer therefor having a pivoting stem and pinion, and a rack on the slidable board engaging the pinion.

-7. In combination, a supporting base having upwardly extending sides, a bridge portion extending across the base and secured to said sides with a clearance space between it and the base, a slidable board between the base and bridge having upwardly extending limiting and manipulating ends provided with finger sockets, wires connecting particular sockets at one end with particular sockets at the other end each having an indicating button, a dial on the upper face of the bridge having appropriate inscriptions, a pointer therefor having a pivoting stem and pinion, and a rack on the slidable board engaging the pinion.

In testimony whereof I hereunto a'ihi; my signature.

FREDERICK n. BLACK. 

